Illinois is stepping into a new era of nuclear energy development, with a critical question on the table: where will the new power plants be built? This spring, Gov. JB Pritzker issued an executive order directing state agencies to explore this very question, aiming to bring at least two gigawatts of additional energy online. This capacity could power up to 2 million homes or 20 large data centers, addressing projected energy shortfalls and ensuring reliability.
The state’s journey back into nuclear energy began in January when Pritzker signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act lifting a nearly four-decade ban on building new large-scale nuclear power plants. This moratorium, enacted in 1987 by then-Gov. James Thompson, was a response to the need for safe radioactive nuclear waste storage. The federal Nuclear Waste Policy Act of the same year tasked the U.S. Department of Energy with finding a suitable site for the nation’s nuclear waste. Nevada’s Yucca Mountain was identified as the most promising location, but the project faced significant opposition and was ultimately halted by then-President Barack Obama in 2009.
Communities Embrace Nuclear Energy
With the ban lifted, Illinois is now in the process of identifying suitable locations for new nuclear facilities. Pritzker directed state agencies to solicit interest from communities open to hosting new nuclear facilities, as well as from developers who may consider building and operating them. The response was promising, with nine communities around the state expressing interest in bringing new nuclear reactors to their areas.
These communities include those already hosting nuclear plants, such as Marseilles and the counties of DeWitt, Grundy, Ogle, Rock Island, and Will. Additionally, Peoria County and Jasper County, which have lived alongside coal-fired power plants, are also open to the idea. The Illinois Nuclear Power Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking a microreactor for research and workforce training purposes.
Economic and Energy Benefits
The communities expressing interest highlighted the potential for new high-paying jobs and long-term tax base stability as key economic development priorities. DeWitt County Board Chair Joe Witte emphasized the positive impact of Constellation, the operator of the Clinton nuclear plant, on the local community. Constellation employs over 500 people and supports various nonprofits and local events.
Officials from the counties ending coal production expressed pride in their regions’ roles in energy production. They proposed the sites of their decommissioned coal power plants as potential locations for new nuclear facilities, citing appropriate zoning, space, water resources, and existing transmission lines. Jasper County Board Chairman Jason Warfel sees this as an opportunity to continue the county’s legacy in energy production and address the growing energy demands driven by advancements in AI and data centers.
Challenges and Considerations
While the interest from communities is encouraging, there are significant challenges to overcome. Jennifer Walling, CEO of the Illinois Environmental Council, estimates that it would take 20 years to see a new large-scale nuclear plant materialize, or 10-15 years for small modular reactors that are still largely in development. The cost could also be high, as evidenced by the recent completion of the Vogtle plant in Georgia, which came online in 2026, seven years later than planned and $17 billion over budget.
Environmental and consumer advocates argue that the opportunities for renewables and battery storage are outpacing what nuclear can offer on costs. Solar and wind projects can be built much faster, with solar and battery storage projects taking 12-18 months and wind projects about two years. However, the delay in getting renewable energy online has largely happened at the grid operator level.
New Technologies and Developer Constraints
Many advocates of nuclear energy are hoping to see the emergence of small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactors that are much smaller in scale than full-sized nuclear plants. Currently, there are only two SMRs commercially operating in the world, one in Russia and one in China. Consumer advocates are skeptical about the timely deployment of SMRs in the U.S., given the history of the nuclear industry.
Developers themselves are mixed on the issue. Of the three responses the state received, two were from companies proposing SMRs. Constellation, the operator of all six of Illinois’ existing plants, expressed feasibility in building at least six gigawatts of new energy at their existing sites, far surpassing Pritzker’s two-gigawatt target. However, the company noted the considerable uncertainty about the construction cost, construction schedule, and operating costs of these new reactor technologies.
The state agencies and partners tasked with reviewing the interest letters from developers and communities are mandated to issue a report with their findings and recommendations in August. Sen. Sue Rezin, a major nuclear advocate, believes Illinois is the right place for continued nuclear growth, pointing to the existing expertise in the state.
